Been there - Done that. Boarding the Rhapsody?

[knothead]

This will be our 3rd time on the Rhapsody. Just wondering what is the best time to board if we want to avoid the hustle & bustle, long lines & etc. We always eat breakfast before we board, So windjammer not important, It will probably be too cold to enjoy pool, since we sail in November, We know the layout of the ship, & we are not doing the spa thing this time around. If we need to board early fine - if we need to board later fine! What are your opinions & why? We will be parking at the pier's port parking or pre-reserved ez parking!

[cb at sea]

Since you've done this before--I guess it's all up to you! Go when you feel most comfortable about it!

[TXSailor]

Keep in mind that they will not let you in your cabin until 1:00pm.

 

Fausto

[kyriecat]

Have you been on Rhapsody in Galveston or just Rhapsody previously? Getting there too early (before 11 AM) is mess becuase some people are still getting off the ship and people are trying to get on. Plus you have to fight the traffic from the Carnival group also. By 1 PM (2 latest) things are much calmer since you only have to deal with the other people boarding.

[knothead]

We have always sailed out of Galveston on the Rhapsody & We have always gotten to the port around 11am. I kinda would like to get there later this time to see the difference. I was just wondering if there was a best time to like walk right on board without a line. But this raised the ? about trouble parking. Are there any issues with parking say if we wait to board around 1:30 - 2pm. I was thinking of maybe sleeping late, grabing a bite to eat & picking up any last minute items and not be rushed to board this time.

[kyriecat]

Finding parking will be better because you aren't waiting for those who just got off the ships to load their vehicles and move out.

[BallFour4]

This will be our 3rd time on the Rhapsody. Just wondering what is the best time to board if we want to avoid the hustle & bustle, long lines & etc.

 

Looks like you are getting a difference of opinions about the Rhapsody, so here's one more.

 

We've sailed the Rhapsody, Splendour, Elation, Ecstasy and Celebration out of Galveston multiple times.

 

Our experience has been to arrive early, early, and early. The departing passengers are almost always gone by 10:00am, and proof of that is we are home from our cruises from Galveston by 10:30 or 11.

 

The benefits we've experienced are as follows:

 

No lines at the drive up dock, luggage has often been at our door at 1:00 when the cabins opened. One note, last week aboard the Splendour we had our luggage and were in our cabins by 12:10 pm.

 

The parking lots are empty, and we get a place right near the fence, and can get to our car on the first bus stop when we get home

 

The seating in the dining room has a better chance of being changed if we are in need of a correction of seating times. This happened once, and we got it changed in 10 minutes after boarding.

 

The Viking Crown Lounge makes for great reading space, and is a tremendous place to watch the hustle and bustle of others in a hurry.

 

As a photo geek I get a chance to walk around each level of the ship and capture images of all the public space before it is crowded with fellow passengers.

 

Any problems with cabins can be solved quickly when many options are available. For example, last June we got to the dock at 11:00 for the Rhapsody and got upgraded from a balcony suite to the Royal Family Suite. A great cabin for us, as the teenager had a walk in closet and her own bathroom.

 

If you are not convinced yet, then arrive after 2:30 pm for a late boarding. The lines are less, and the crowds are usually on the Lido (Speedo) deck versus waiting to board.

 

We love the ship, and spend several evenings in the summer enjoying dinner at Willie G's or Landry's and then watching her sail.

 

Our next cruise is on the Rhapsody in June!

 

Finally, here is the photo link to some of the cruises, Rhapsody included.

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/blusry